Motor-vehicle.



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APPLIoumN FILED JAN. 1s.f19o4.

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No. 761,657.l

WL. CHRISTIE.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

N0 MODEL.

-PATENTED JUNE '7, .1904,

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR ffm-M lms` ATTORNEYS I PATENTED JUNE 7, 1904. W. CHRISTIE.

MOTOR VEHICLE. ArrLromloxnvL'nn JAN; 1a.- 1904.

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l l mgsj A ATTORNEYS me nonkls PETERS co.. ruoumm wAswmewN. u, c.

PATENTEDJUNB 7, 1904'.

w. CHRISTIE. MOTOR VBHIGLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 18. 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

N0 MODEL.

'mc' Namils firms co. Pnooumm wAsmnGToN u c PATENTED JUNE 7, 1904.

W. CHRISTIE. MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 1s. .1904. l

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

N0 MODEL.

II III HIS ATTORNEYS No. 761,651. PATENT'BD JUNE?, 1904. y w. GHR-ISTIE.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 18. 1904.

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of the driving-motor between two. combined Patented June 7, '1904. I

PATENT OFFICE.

VALTER CHRISTIE, NEW YORK, N. Y.

MOTOR-VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 761,657, dated June 7,1904,

Application filed January 18, 1904.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER CHRISTI E, a citi- Zen of the United Statesof America, and a resident of New York city, county and State of NewYork, have inventedv certainV new and useful Improvements inMotor-Vehicles, of which the following is a speci lication, referencebeing had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

My invention relates to improvements in' motor-vehicles; and it consistsin the location driv-ing and steering wheels of the vehicle and Awith.its main driving-shaft adapted to be directly connected to saiddrivingwheels, in novel and improved transmission-'gearing and clutchmechanism f or throwing the motor out of and into direct drive with thewheels and for low-speed and reversing driving, 4in an improved easingconstituting a combined motorcasing and vehicle-axle, in an improvedspringsupport for that end of the body at which the motor is located, inimproved shields or covers for the universal joints forming a part ofthel main drive-shaft, in an improved arrangement of a circulating-pump,and in various other features, details of construction, and combinationof parts, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The main objects of my invention are to secure the greatest simplicityof high-speed front-wheel drive, combined with front-wheel steering, sothat a comparatively light and low-power machine may be capable of veryhigh speed; to improve the construction and operation of thetransmission and changespeed mechanism, so that the machine may also beadapted for operation at moderate speeds for touring and similarpurposes; to simplify and improve the control, so that the operator willhave' but little operating mechanism and this of the simplestdescription, and generally to simplify and improve machines of thisdescription.

I will now proceed to describe a motor-vehicle embodying my inventionand will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a view, partly in sidey elevation andpartly in longitudinal section, of a motor-carriage embodying Serial No.189,457. (No model.)

my invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine, partially brokenaway, in central longitudinal verticalhsection. Fig. 3 is a View invertical longitudinal section of certain parts of the machine upon aconsiderably-enhtrged scale, the plane of section being taken centrallythrough one of the drive-wheels, the drive-shaft therefor, and themotor. Fig. 4 is a top View of the front portion of a vehicle withcertain parts removed and other parts broken away. Fig. 5 is a'detailtop view, partly broken away and partly in horizontal section, showingcertain parts at the front or driving end of the machine. Fig. 6 is adetail view in transverse section of a sliding connection employedbetween one of the members of a clutch. employed and one of the endsections of the drive-shaft. Fig. 7 isa detail view in side elevation ofpart of the transmission mechanism, including part of the reversingback-gear train. Fig. 8 is a detail view in central transverse sectionthrough a pair of friction-disks employed in throwing the back,v

gearing into operative relation, the plane of section being taken uponthe line 8 8 of Fig. 7.` Fig. 9 is a detail view transversely of thecounter-shaft, showing certain details of the clutch-operating mechanismfor the low-speed forward drive.

The vehicle shown has a body or frame l, a pair of front wheels 2, and apair of rear wheels 3. The front wheels 2 constitute the driving-wheelsof the machine and are also employed for steering purposes. rlhe rear.wheels 2, as shown, are idler or trailer wheels Only- The front wheelsare connected to a transverse casing, designated as a whole by referencecharacter 4, which constitutes, in effect, the vfront axle of themachine. The central portion of vthe casing 4 constitutes a crankcasingfor the motor and serves as a support for the cylinders and drivingmechanism of the motor, while the end portions of the casingare providedwith horns 5., to which the bearing members 6 for the wheels areconnected. The connection between the bearing members 6 and the horns 5isa pivotal one, the bearing members being provided with pins or studs7, arranged to be received within IOO sockets 8, carried by the saidhorns. The axes of said pivots are in straight lines lying in the planeof rotation of the wheels and passing centrally through the tires of thewheels and intersecting their axes of rotation. The bearing members havea bearing connection with portions rigid with the said wheels, saidportions herein comprising short shaft-sections 9, bolted to the wheels2, and comprising a portion of the main drive-shaft, as will appearhereinafter. 1t will thus be seen that the wheels are free to swingabout independent axes upon thesaid frame or casing, and so may beemployed for steering purposes. A connect-ing link or rod lO, pivoted orswiveled to arms 11, extending outwardly from the bearing members 6,connects the two wheels together', so that one wheel is compelled topartake of the movements of the other, and another link orconnecting-rod 12 is connected at one end to an arm 13, extendingrearwardly from one of the wheel-bearing members 6, and at the other endis pivoted or swiveled to a sliding rack-bar 14. The sliding rack-bar 14is engaged by a pinion 15, arranged upon the lower end of asteering-spindle 16, the upper end of which is provided with the usualsteering-wheel 17.

The weight of the casing and parts carried thereby is yieldin gl ysupported by coil-sp rin gs 18, located between the upper horns 5 of thecasing and the bearing members 6. These coil-springs 18 act then asfront axlesspr-ings for the vehicle, and the pin-and-socket connections7 and 8 being accurately fitted to each other with a sliding fit form,in eect, air dashpots, which tend to prevent a too sensitive action ofthe springs.

The motor is of the internalcombustion reciprocating-piston type, andthe erank-shaft 19 therefor is mounted in suitable bearings in thecasing 4. The location of this shaft and the tension of the springs 18is such that under ordinary ruiming load the axis of the said shaft isdesigned to be substantially coincident with the axis of rotation of thefront-wheels. The crank-shaft 19 forms a part of the main driving-shaftas a whole, such main driving'- shaft comprising end sections andtheintermediate crank-shaft section 19. The end and intermediateshaft-sections are arranged to be connected or disconnected in drivingrelation, as may be desired, andas will appear hereinafter. Each saidend section comprises one of the short shaft-sections 9 above referredto, two universal joints 2O and 21, a connecting shaft-section 22between them, and a tubular sliding shaft-section 23. The differentparts of each of the said end sections are connected or secured togetherin driving relation at all times.

Each of the tubular sliding shaft-sections 23 has a bearing at one endin a hollow portion of the intermediate crank-shaft section 19, a lineror bearing-sleeve 24 being provided between the surfaces of theintermediate and end shaft-sections, said sleeves or liners being eachpreferably provided with a head 25 at its inner end, so as to hold backoil employed in the central portion of the casing 4 for splashlubrication in the motor. Each tubular sliding shaft-section is free toboth slide or rotate in the bearing thus formed between it and theintermediate crank-shaft section. At its other end the tubularshaft-section has an enlarged cup-shaped portion 26, forming, ineil'ect, a part of the universal joint 21, and thiscupshaped portion isarranged with a sliding lit in a cylindrical extension 27, forming apart of a clutch member 23. ',lhe cup-shaped portion 26 and thecylindrical extension 27 are splined together, so that while they arepermitted freely to slide longitudinally with respect to each other theyare absolutely secured together in rotative relation. The cylindricalextension 27 is arranged to rotate upon rollerbearings 29 between it andthe casing 4, so that the tubular sliding shaft-sections 23 aresupported in bearings at both of their ends against any but alongitudinally-sliding movement with relation to the casing 4. The shortshaft-sections 9, as above stated, are rigidly connected to the wheels2, and ball-bearings 30 are interposed between these short shaftsectionsand the wheel-bearing members 6. The wheel-bearing members are permittedtwo movements with respect to the casing 4, one a vertical movement, byreason of the yielding spring connection therewith, and the other amovement in a horizontal plane due to the pivotal connection therewith,and the short shaft-sections 9 being in bearing relation therewithpartake, of course, of these movements. The universal joints 2() and 21,together with the sliding movement of the tubular sliding shaft-sections, permit these movements of the short shaft-sections 9 whilemaintaining them in proper relation with the intermediate crank-shaftsection 19.

r1`he casing 4 is provided at each end with a portion having a curvedsurface 31, the said curved surfaces having arcs formed with the axes ofthe pivotal connections between the wheel -bearing members and thecasing as centers, the wheelsbearing members being each provided with acap 32, extending inwardly, and having a face iitted to the curvedsurfaces 31. r1`he caps 32, together with portions of the casing 4,serve to inclose the universal joints and protect them against. injuryfrom dust or other causes, while on account of their shape and formationthey in no way prevent or impede free relative vertical movements of thebearing members with respect to the casing nor free swinging movementsin a horizontal plane about the axes of their pivotal connections.

In order that the axes of the pivotal connections between the bearingmembers and the casing may be in lines lying in the plane lOO ofrotation-of the wheels and passing cen?` trally through the wheel-tiresand intersecting their axes of rotation, the said wheels are providedwith overhangi'ng rims and offset spokes, as shown. This relationship ofthe pivotal axes with respect to the wheels gives the least resistanceto steering, because. with such a construction and arrangement of partsthe wheels in steering rotate about axes which are coincident with thepoints of their g support upon thevground.

rI`he clutch members 28, above referred'to, have internal conefriction-surfaces 33, ar-

ranged to engage similar external cone friction-surfaces forming theAouter peripherie-s of ily-wheels 34. The fly-Wheels 34, of which thereare two, are rigidly secured to the outer ends of the intermediatecrank-shaft section 19. Shipping-levers 35, pivotally connected by meansof short links 36 with the casing 4 The 4operatingrings 37 are arrangedto rotate with respect carry operating-rings 37.

to the clutch members 28, which they respece termediate or crank shaftsection the shaft-l tively engage, but are secured thereby7 againstrelative lateral movement-t'. e., movement4 longitudinally of their axesof rotation. Ballbearings are shown as provided between theoperating-rings 37 and their respective clutch members in order toprevent undue friction between the parts. connected, by means ofconnecting-links 38 and 39, with oppositely-eXtending arlns of anoperating-lever 40. The operating-lever 4() has an arm4l extending atright angles thereto and pivotall y connected to one end of aconnecting-rod 42. The other end of the connectingrod 42 is pivoted tothe short arm of a handlever 43, suitably arranged in the machine, so

that it may be operated by a person seated in the vehicle. rlhehand-lever 43 is loosely mounted upon a transverse shaft 44, upon whichcertain other levers and foot-pedals are also mounted, as will presentlybe described. v

Operation of the hand-lever 43 will then throw the clutch members 28into or out of engage.

4ment with the fly-wheels 34, forming the clutch members complementarythereto, and the said clutch members 28 being, as above set forth, inconstant driving relation with the end shaft-sections andtheliy-wheelsqbeing in constant ydriving relation with the in- `sectionswill thus be connected or disconnected from driving relation with eachother at will.

'As the parts are arranged the clutch members willbe in engagement -witheach other and the shaft-sections in driving relation when` thehand-lever 43 is pushed all the way forward. When the hand-lever isdrawn back, the clutch members will be released and the 1shaft-sectionswill be-out of driving relation with each other. When in drivingrelation, it will be seen that the motor is directly connected to thefront driving-wheels, the main shaft of the engineconstitutingdirectlythe The shipping-levers 35 are drive-shaft therefor. When soconnected, the vehicle is designed for very high speeds, and by reasonof this direct connection there will be the least pos'sible loss throughfriction,

' as necessarily occurs where the drive passes through intermediategearing, &c. No compensating gear vis provided between the twodriving-wheels when the machine is thus connected, as the amount ofsteering possible while the machine is thus directly connected,

owing to the high speed which the machine 1 will have at such times, 1sso slight as to render such compensating gearing unnecessary. It will benoted, however, that immediately the hand-lever is pulled back torelease the clutches the end shaft-sections areithen not only free fromthe intermediate or crank shaft section, but are also free from anyengage- -ment with each other, so that immediately the lwheels are freedfrom this direct driving relation they are entirely free to turnindependently of each other.

VThe y-wheels 34, as shown2 are provided with overhanging peripheries,and the clutch members 28 are each provided with inwardlyprojectingiianges, which are arranged to de- 'iect any oil which may work out from`the ticable, of course, to steer the machine within such limits as torender 1t necessary to provide some means for permittingindependentmovement of the driving-wheels, and hence I provide a compensating gear,which is included in the transmission-gear, for-low speeds. The drivefor the low speed is from a pinion 4 5, fast upon the central orintermediate shaftsection'lQ, in the present instance shown as bolted toone of the .Hy-wheels 34. This pinion is in mesh witha spur-gear 46,having a hub arranged to rotate loosely in a bearinghead 47 upon thecasing 4. A counter-shaft 48, journaled in bearings 49, .passes throughthe said head and rotates upon an axis coin- .cident therewith. Thecounter-shaft 48 is a two -part counter-shaft and is connected togetherby compensating gearing 50. The compensating gearing 50 may be of anywellknown type and is so well known vin theart as -not to require detaildescription herein. The

outer or driving member 5l of the compensatinggearing is rigidly securedto a sleeve 52, formed as the extension of the hub ofl akfrl'ction-clutch member .53. sThe sleeve 52 is IOO 'Ilo

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mounted to rotate upon the counter-shaft 48, and a portion of the sameis contained within thehub ofthe spur-wheel 46. rl`he sleeve 52 is,however, mounted freely" with respect to the said counter-shaft and withrespect to the hub of the, said gear wheel. Each part of the two-partcounter-shaft is provided with a pinion 54, having teeth arranged inline with the teeth of spur-gears 55, with which each of the directdrive-clutch members 28 are provided. When the machine is in directhigh-speed drive connection or is free of driving' connection, as abovedescribed, the spur-gears 55 are out of mesh with the pinion 54. r[ hehandlever 43, however, when pulled all the way back will move the clutchmembers 28 such a distance as to bring the teeth of the spurgears 55 inmesh with the pinions 54, and in such relation the machine will be in acondition to be driven through the back gearing 'just described and atlow speed, provided the low-speed clutch member 53 is in drivingrelation with the spur-gear 46. To effect this, a'set of toggle-links 56is provided which, when operated in one direction, will force thegear-wheels 46 against the friction member 53 of the low-speed clutch,so as to cause them to operatively engage each other in driving re- Amovement of the toggle-links in the opposite direction will free thespur-gear 46 from operative engagement with the friction member 53 ofthe low-speed clutch and release the same from driving relation. rlhetoggle mechanism is controlled by means of a shift-ring 57, slidablymounted upon a head 58, which in turn is arranged to slide upon thesleeve 52, but which is in constant rotative engagement therewith. Theshift-ring 57 is connected to the toggle mechanism by means of links 59,pivoted thereto, and to the shorter links of the set of toggle-links.The shiftring 57 is engaged by ashifting lever 60, pivoted at one end bya suitable link connection to the casing 4, engaging at its other endone arm of a bell-crank lever 61. The other arm of the bell-crank leveris pivoted to a connecting rod or link 62, connected at its other end toa short arm 63, rigidly secured to the transverse shaft 44. rl`he shaft44 is operated by means of a short hand-lever 64, projecting upward atthe side of the machine and in convenient position to be handled by 'anoperator in the driving-seat of the vehicle. The parts are so arrangedthat when the short lever is all the way forward the toggle-links willbe thrown outward and the spur-gear 46 and friction member 53 of thelow-speed clutch will be out of driving relation with each other. Thisis the position of the lever and the clutch mechanism for forwarddriving at high speed or for free running or drifting of the vehicle.When the short lever 64 is drawn back as far as it will go, thetoggle-links will be forcedinward or straightened, so as to cause thefriction-surfaces of the spur-gear 46 and clutch member 53 tooperatively engage, whereby the compensating gear will be thrown intodriving connection with the d riving-pinion 45. If then the longhand-lever 43 be pulled all the way back, so as to cause the spurgear-wheels to engage the pinions 54 on the two sections of the cmntershafi the machine will be driven at low speed from the pinion 45upon the internuuliate crankshaft section to the gear-wheel 46, then throu gh the low-speed clutch member 53 to the outer member of thecompensating gearing, through the compensating gearing to thecountershaft, thence through the pinions 54 to the spur gear-wheels uponthe end drivingshaft sections to the driving-wheels. 'lhus the machinewill at such times be connectial for low-speed driving, and thedriving-wheels will be driven from a high-speed motor at low speedthrough compensating gearing. For reversing, a second counter-shaft 65and back gearingare employed. 'lhe second counter-shaft 65 is mounted insuitable bearings stationary with the main vframe of the ma- P,chine andcarries rigidly secured thereto a gear-wheel 66, which is arranged inconstant mesh with the spur-goal.' 46 upon the countershaft 48. .lt willbe remembered that the spur-gear 46, which is in mesh with thedrivepinion 45, is always running, and hence the second counter-shaft 65will also run continuously. A pinion 67, carried by a sleeve 68, isloosely mounted upon the second countershaft 65. The teeth of thispinion 67 are arranged in aline with the teeth of an idler-gear 69,mounted to rotate freely in suitable bearings in a portion stationarywith the frame of the machine, said idler-gear 6*.) arranged in meshwith the teeth of a gear-wheel 76, secured to or formed as a part oi theouter member 5l of the compensating gear upon the counter-shaft 48.

rlhe sleeve 68 (sec particularly detail Fig. 8) is secured to or formedas a part ol a l'rietion-disk 7l, said friction-dish arranged tofrictionally engage the face of a corresponding friction-disk 72,secured to or formed as a part of a sleeve 73. The sleeve 73 isrotatably mounted upon the second counter-shaft 65, but is permitted toslide longitudinally thereon, a splined connection maintaining them inrotative engagement, but permitting such sliding movement. The sleeve 73is engaged by a bell-crank lever 74, pivoted at 75, the other arm ofwhich is connected, by means of a connecting-rod 76, with the short arm77 of a foot-pedal 78. fhon the foot-pedal 78 is depressed, thebell-crank lever 74 is rocked upon its pivotal support 75 and thesleeve73 is moved along the shaft 65. The sleeve 68, carrying the pinion67, is moved with the sleeve 73 until the teeth of the pinion 67 are inmesh with the teeth of the idler gear-wheel 69. fhen the teeth of thepinion 67 are fully in mesh with the teeth of the idler-gear 62),

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the side of the pinion 67 engages the station- `ary bearing, or thesleeve 68 is in some other way prevented from moving fartherlongitudinally, and pressure being still applied to the pedal 7 8.thefriction-disks 71 and.7 2 will be caused to so frictionally engage eachother as to cause them to rotate together. For driving the machinebackward it will be necessary then to have the long hand-lever 48 allthe way back, so as to cause the spur-gears 55 to engage the pinions 54to throw' in the counter-shaft gearing, to have the short handlever 64all the way forward, so as to Cause the low-speed friction-clutch to bein its outof-operation position, and then to press hard down ipon thefoot-pedal 7 8, so as to slide the pinion 67 into engagement with theidler 69 and to frictionally engage the reversing-gear friction-disks 71and 72. The drive will now be from the main drive-.pinion on theintermediate or crank-shaft section of vthe driveshaft to the spur gearwheel 46, rotating loosely about the counter-shaft 48, thence to thegear-wheel 66, fast upon the second counter-shaft 65. From thecounter-shaft 65 the drive will pass through the reversing-clutch gear69, thence to the gear 70 upon the outer member of the compensatinggear, through the compensating gear to the two-part counter-shaft 48,thence through the pinions 54 to the spur-gears 55 upon the endshaft-sections of the main drivingshaft to the drivingwheels.

The amount of friction possible between the `friction-disks 71 72,comprising' the back-gear friction-clutch, is very much less than thatwhich may occur between the coacting faces of the inner periphery of thegear-wheel 46 and the outer periphery of the clutch member 53,comprising the low-speed forward clutch mechanism, andthe amount offriction possi- Vsi-tion, and hence the slow-speed forwardy ble at anytime between the two disks 71 and 72 is never suiiicient to cause thetwo to become jammed or locked together. Therefore should thereversing-pedal 78 be depressed while the short hand-lever 64 is in arear poclutch mechanism in operative engagement,

the members of the reversingclutch would merely slip with respect toeach other and no harm would be done to the machine. In this connectionit may be noted that when the high-speed clutch is operated and the maindriving-shaft sections are directly united in driving relation the spurgear wheelsl 55 are of necessity out' of engagement with thecounter-shaft pinions 54, so that should the low-speed clutch be throwninto operative engagement while the high-speed clutch was also engagedthe only result would be the idle turning of the counter-shaft 48.

The second counter-shaft, as set forth above,

runs constantly, because of its direct gear connection throughgear-wheel 65, spur-gear 46,

and pinion 45. The circulating-pump 79 for the cooling-water of themotor is arranged to be operated by the second counter-shaft 65, and inthis way just sufcient resistance is put upon the shaft to preventbacklash or rattling occurring in the gearing 66 46 45 when the machineis running free or in high-speed driving relation. The ratlo between thegears 45 and 66 is in the present instance as one is to two, and hencethe shaft 65 may be also employed to operate the commutator 80 for theelectric sparking system for the motor.- The cam-shaft 81 of the motoris usually employed for the purpose of rotating the commutator; but inthis instance the position of the second counter-shaft is so much moreconvenient for this purpose that the'speed thereof is arranged to be thesame as that of the cam-shaft, and the commutator is then operatedthereby, as above set forth.

The form of brake I preferably employ for the machine is a combined hand-lever and foot-pedal brake. A foot-pedal 82, loosely mounted upon thetransverse shaft 44, is connected, by means of a connecting-link 88,with a rocking lever 84, pivoted at 85 to the frame friction-disks 72 71and pinion 67 to the idlering lever 84. The hand-lever 87 has a slot88,`

arranged to receive a projecting pin 89'or other portion projecting fromthe rocking lever 84, so that the said lever 84 may rock freely aboutits axis when braking movements are applied'thereto by movements of thefoot-- pedal 82 and without interference from the said hand-lever 87. Atthe same time the hand-lever 87 may be employed to apply the brake,ifdesired, as when the said lever is pushed forward. the rear wall ofthe slot 88 will engage the pin or projection 89 of the rocking lever 84and rock the said rocking lever about its support to apply the brake inthe same manner as when the foot-pedal is operated.

The motor herein illustrated has four vertical cylinders 90, in whichare mounted reciprocating pistons 91, connected by connecting-rods 92 tothe crank-shaft 19. Intermediate their lengths each of the cylinders 90is provided with an opening 98, and dischargecocks 94 serve to controlegress of fluid through the said opening. rlhe openings98 are arrangedto be overridden by the pistons 91 in their strokes, but are sopositioned that duringa portion of the strokes of the pistons 91 theopenings will be uncovered to the interior of the cylinder.If'the'discharge-cocks 94 are opened, there will be only partialcompression during the compression-stroke of the pistons and the powerof the motor will be considerably cut down. These cocks may .be openedwhen first starting up the engine, and

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they may also be opened when it is desired to use but little power.Starting up of the engine may be effected by means of a startingspindle95, (see particularly Fig. 2,) carrying a bevel-pinion 96 and whichengages with a bevel-gear 97, secured to and carried by one of theengine fly-wheels 34 or some other part secured to the enginecrank-shaft.

It will be obvious that the foregoing is but one embodiment of myinvention and that the same is capable of many and varied modificationswithin the spirit and scope of my invention, and, further, that certainparts may be employed in connection with other parts of differentconstruction. Hence I do not desire to be limited only to the precisedetails of construction and combination of parts herein.

What I claim isw 1. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with atransverse casing, of driving-wheels, bearing members therefor, ayielding connection between said bearing members and said casing, and adrive-shaft mounted in bearings in said casing, said drive-shaft securedto the said drive-wheels.

2. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with atrans'verse casing, ofdriving-wheels, bearing members therefor, a yielding connection betweensaid bearing members and said casing, anda drive-shaft mounted inbearings in said casing, said' drive-shaft secured to the saiddrive-wheels, and including universal joints.

8. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with atransverse casing, ofdriving-wheels, bearing members therefor, a yielding connection betweensaid bearing members and said casing, and a drive-shaft mounted inbearings in said casing, said drive-shaft secured to. the saiddrive-wheels, and including universal joints, anda telescopic section.

4. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a transverse casing, ofdriving-wheels, bearing members therefor, a yielding connection betweensaid bearing members and said casing, a drive-shaft mounted in bearingsin said casing, said drive-shaft comprising end sections and anintermediate section, and clutch mechanism for connecting said sectionstogether, the end sections of said shaft secured to the saiddrive-wheels.

5. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a transverse casing, ofdriving-wheels, bearing members therefor, a yielding connection betweensaid bearing members and said casing, a drive-shaft mounted in bearingsin said casing, said drive-shaft comprising end sections and anvintermediate section, and clutch mechanism for connecting said sectionstogether, the end sections of said shaft secured to the saiddrivewheels, and including universal joints.

6. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with atr'ansverse casing, ofdriving-wheels, bearing members theiefor, a yielding connection betweensaid bearing members and said casing, a drive-shaft mounted in bearingsin said casing` said drive-shaft comprising end sections and anintermediate section, and clutch mechanism for connecting said sectionstogether, the end sections of said shaft secured to the saiddrive-wheels, and including` universal joints, and a telescopic section.

7. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a transverse engine-casing,and engine elements supported thereby, of drivewheels, bearing memberstherefor pivoted to the said engine-casing, and a drive-shaft mounted inbearings in the said engine-casing, said driveshaft secured to the saidd rive-wheels.

8. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a transverse engine-casing,and engine elements supported thereby, of d rive-wheels, bearing memberstherefor pivoted to the said engine-casing, and a drive-shaft mounted inbearings in the said engine-casing, said driveshaft secured to thc saiddrive-wheels, and including universal joints.

9. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a transverse engine-easing,and engine clements supported thereby, of drive-wheels` bearing memberstherefor pivoted to the said engine-casing, and a drive-shaft mounted inbearings in the said engine-casing, said driveshaft secured to the saiddrive-wheels, and including universal joints, and a telescopic section.

l0. In amotor-vehicle,the combination with a transverse engine-casing,and enginel elements supported thereby, of drive-wheels, bearing memberstherefor pivoted to the said engine-casing, a drive-shaft mounted inbearings in the said engine-casing, said drive-sha ft comprising endsections and an intermediate section, and clutch mechanism forconnecting said sections together in driving relation, the end sectionsof said shaft secured to the said driving-wheels.

ll. In amotor-vehicle,the combination with a transverse engine-casing,and engine elements supported thercby,' of drivewheels, bearing memberstherefor pivoted to the said engine-casing, a drive-shaft mounted inbearings in the said engine-casing, said drive-shaft comprising endsections and an intern'iediatel section, and clutch mechanism forconnecting said sections together in driving relation, the end sectionsof said shaft secured to the said driving-wheels, and includinguniversal joints.

l2. In a motor-vchiclc,thecombination with a transverse engine-casing,and engine elements supported thereby, of drive-ni'heels,l

bearing members therefor pivoted to the said engine-casing, adrive-shaft mounted in bearings in the said engine-casing, said drive-shaft comprising end sections and an intermediate, section, andclutch mechanism for connecting said sections together indrivingrelation, the end sections of said shaft secured to the said lOOdriving-wheels, and including universal joints, and a telescopicsection.v

13. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with a transverse casing, ofdriving-wheels, bearing members therefor pivoted to the said casing, andyieldingly supporting same, and a drive-shaft mounted in bearings insaid casing, said drive-shaft secured to said drivewheels. y

111. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with a transverse casing, ofdriving-wheels, bearf drive-shaft secured to said drive-wheels, and

including universal joints, and a telescopic section.

16. In amotor-vehicle,the combination with a transverse casing, ofdriving-wheels, bear'- ing members therefor pivoted to the 'said casing,and yieldingly supporting same, a driveshaft mounted in bearings in saidcasing, said drive-shaft comprising end sections and an inp tormediatesection, clutch mechanism for connecting said .sections together, theend sections of said shaft secured-to the said drivewheels. v

17. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a transverse casing, ofdriving-wheels, bearing members therefor pivotcd to the said'casing, andyieldingly supporting same, a driveshaft mounted in bearings in saidcasing, said drive-shaft comprising end sections and an intermediatesection, clutch mechanism for connecting said sections together, the endsection of said shaft secured to the said drive-wheels, andincludinguniversal joints.

18. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with a transverse casing, ofdriving-wheels, bear- .ingy members therefor pivoted to thesaid casing,and yieldingly supporting same, a driveshaft mounted in bearings in saidcasing, said drive-shaftcomprising end sections and an intermediatesection, clutch mechanism for connecting said sections together, the endsection of said shaft secured to the said drive-wheels, and includinguniversal joints, and a telescopic section.

19. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of two driving-wheels, a motorlocated between them and having a driving-shaft connectedto said wheels,said shaft comprising end sections and an intermediate section,andclutch mechanism for connecting said sections together.

20. In amotor-vehicle,the combination with vehicle drivingwheels of adriving-motor located between the same, and with its drivingshaftapproximately in axial line, Vwhen in normal position,V with the axis ofrotation of the i said wheels, said shaft having a direct drivingconnection with said wheels.

21. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with vehicle driving-wheels of adriving-motor located between the same, and with its drivingshaftapproximately in axial line, when in normal position, with the axis ofrotation of the said wheels, said shaft having a direct drivingconnection with said wheels, and comprising universal joints permittingpivotal movements of said wheels. p

22. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with vehicle driving-wheels of adriving-motor located between the same, and with its drivingshaftapproximately in axial line, when in normal position, with the axis ofthe said wheels,

said shaft comprisingend sections and an intermediate section, andclutch mechanism for directly connecting the said sections together, theend sections of said shaft secured to the said driving-wheels.

23. In a motor-vehicle',the combination with vehicle driving-wheels of adriving-motor loi cated between the same, and with itsdrivingshaftapproximately'1n axial line, when in normal position, withthe axis of the said wheels, said shaft comprising end sections and anintermediate section, clutch mechanism for directly connecting the saidsections together, the end sections of said shaft secured to the saiddriving-wheels, and including universal joints permitting steeringmovements of said wheels.

24. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with vehicle driving-wheels of adriving-motor located between the same, and with its drivingshaftapproximately in axial line, when in normal position, with the axis ofthe said wheels, said shaft comprising end sections and an intermediatesection, clutch mechanism foi" directly connecting the said sectionstogether, the end sections of said shaft secured to the saiddriving-wheels, and including universal joints permitting steeringmovements'of said wheels, and a telescopic section.

25. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a motor frame or casingconstituting the front axle of the machine, and to which the frontAwheels may be secured, of a drive-shaft journaled in the saidmotor-frame, and arranged to directly connect withv the said wheels indriving connection.

26. In a motor-vehicle, amotor comprising a frame or casing constitutingthe front axle IOO of the machine, and provided with means by which thefront wheels may be secured thereto, the motor-shaft constituting thedriveshaft for the wheels and arranged to be directly connected theretoin driving relation.

27. In a motor-vehicle, a motor comprising a frame or casingconstituting the front axle of the machine, and provided with means bywhich the front wheels may be secured thereto, the motor-shaftconstituting the driveshaft for the wheels and comprising end sectionsarranged to be rigidly secured to the wheels, and an intermediatesection, and clutch mechanism for securing the said sections together.

28. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a motor frame or easingconstituting the front aXle of the machine, and wheel-bearing memberspivoted thereto, of a drive-shaft journaled in the said motor-frame andthe said bearing members, said drive-shaft including` universal joints.

29. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with a motor frame or casingconstituting the front axle of the machine, and wheel-bearingmemberspivoted thereto, of a drive-shaft journaled in the said motor-i`rame andthe said bearing members, said drive-shaft including universal joints,and telescopic sections.

30. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a motor frame or casingconstituting the front aXle of the machine, and wheel-bearing memberspivoted thereto, of a drive-shaft comprising end sections journaled inthe said bearing members, and an intermediate section journaled in thesaid motor-frame, said end sections including universal joints.

31. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with a motor frame or casingconstituting the front axle of the machine, and wheel-bearing memberspivoted thereto, of a drive-shaft comprising end sections journaled inthe said bearing members, and an intermediate section journaled in thesaid motor-frame, said end sections including universal joints, andtelescopic sections.

32. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a motor frame or casingconstituting the front axle of the machine, and wheel-bearing memberspivoted thereto, of a drive-shaft comprising end sections journaled inthe said bearing members, an intermediate section journaled in the saidmotor-i`rame, said end sections including universal joints, and clutchmechanism for securing the said sections together. l

33. In a motor-vehicle, a transverse casing comprising end portionshaving means `for the attachment of wheel-bearin g members, and anintermediate portion constituting an enginecrank case.

34:. Inamotor-vehicle the combination with a transverse casingcomprising end portions having projecting horns, and an intermediateportion constituting an engine-crankease, of wheel-bearing memberspivotally connected to said horns, and engine elements supported by saidcrank-case.

35. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wheels, of adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to the said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connectingthe said sections together, said end sections comprising universaljoints and telescopic sections.

36. Inamotor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wheels, of adriving-shaft therefor comprising an intermediate crank-shaft sectionand end sections, the end sections secured to the said wheels, andclutch mechanism for connecting the said sections together, said endsections comprising universal joints and telescopic sections.

37. In amotor-vehicle, the combi nation with driving-wheels, of a dri\f'ingshaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to the said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connectingthe said sections together, said end sections each comn prising twouniversal joints and a telescopic section.

38. In amotor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wheels, of adriving-shaft therefor comprising an intermediate crank-shaft sectionand end sections, the end sections secured to the said wheels, andclutch mechanism for connecting the said sections together, said endsections each comprising two universal joints and a telescopic section.

39. Inamotor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wheels, of adriving-shaft therefor comprising an intermediate crank-shaft sectionand end sections, the end sections secured to the said wheels, clutchmechanism for connecting the said sections together, said end sectionscomprising universal joints and hollow telescopic sections, saidtelescopic sections arranged to slide in hollow portions of thecrankshaft, and cup-shaped bushings arranged between the telescopicsections and the intermediate crank-shaft section, and ini closing theends ol the said telescopic sections.

40. In a motorvehicle,the combination with a frame or casing andwheel-bearingmembers pivoted thereto, of a drive-shaft comprising anintermediate portion journaled in .said casing, and end portionscomprising shaft-sections mounted to rotate in said wheel-bearingmembers and arranged to be secured to driv ing-wheels of the vehicle,telescopic sections arranged to slide longitiulinalljT with respect tosaid intermediate shaft portion, and universal joints between said endshaft-sectionsand said telescopic sections.

41. Inamotorvehicle,the combination with a frame or casing andwheel-bearing members pivoted thereto, and having also a movement withrespect thereto in a line with the axes oli' said pivotal connections,ot a drive-shaft comprising an intermediate portion journaled in saidcasing, and end portions con'iprising shaft-sections mounted to rotatein said wheelbearing members and arranged to be secured todriving-wheels oi. the vehicle, telescopic sections arranged to slidelongitudinally with respect to said intermediate shaft portion, anduniversal joints between said end shaftsections and said telescopicsections.

4t2. In a motor-vehicle, the combination wi th a frame or casing and awheel-bearing mem- IOO llO

ber, of a drive-shaft comprising a driving member having one member of aclutch secured thereto, said driving member mounted to rotate inbearings of said frame or casing, Y

a telescopic section arranged to slide longitudinally with respect tosaid driving member and to rotate freely with respect thereto, a clutchmember rotatively secured to said telescopic section, and arranged toslide longitudinally with respect thereto and with respect to the iirstsaid clutch member, with which it is adapted to engage, an endshaftsection mounted to rotate in said wheel-bearing member and arrangedto be directly connec'ted to a drive-wheel of the vehicle, and auniversal-joint connection between said telescopic section and said endshaft-section.

43. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a frame or casing and awheel-bearing member, of a drive-shaft comprising a driving memberhaving one member of a clutch secured thereto, said driving membermounted to rotate in bearings of said frame or casing, a telescopicsection arranged-to slide longitndinally with respect to said drivingmember and to rotate freely with respect thereto, a

' clutch member rotatively secured'to said telescopic section,'andarranged to slide longitudinally with respect thereto and with respectto the iirst said clutch member, with which it is adapted to engage, anend shaftsection mounted to rotate in said wheel-bearing member andarranged to be directly connected to a drive-wheel of the vehicle, andtwo universal joints between said telescopic section and said endshaft-section.

44. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with a frame or casing and awheel-bearing member, of a drive-shaft comprising a driving memberhaving' one member of the clutch secured thereto, said driving membermounted to rotate in bearings of said frame or casing, a telescopicsection arranged to slide longitudinally with respect to said drivingmember and to rotate freely with respect thereto, a clutch memberrotatively secured to said telescopic section, and arranged to slidelongitudinally with respect thereto and with respect to the irst saidclutch member, with which it is adapted to engage, an end shaft-sectionmounted to rotate in said wheel-bearing member, and arranged to bedirectly connected to a drive-wheel of the vehicle, and two universaljoints between said telescopic section and said end shaft-section, thesaid telescopic section and clutch member therewith arranged to rotateinv roller-bearingssupported by the said frame or casing.

45. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a frame or casing andwheel-bearing members pivoted thereto, of a drive-shaft comprisingadriving member having one member of a clutch, and a driving-pinion,secured thereto, said driving member mounted to rotate in bearings ofsaid frame or casing, a telescopic section arranged to slidelongitudinally with respect to said driving member and to rotate freelywith respect thereto, a clutch member rotatively secured to saidtelescopic section, and arranged to slide longitudinally with respectthereto and with respect to the iirstv said clutch member, with which itis adapted to engage, said clutch vmember carrying a gearwheel, an endshaft-section mounted to rotate in said wheel-bearing member, andarranged to be directly connected to a drive-wheel of the vehicle, and auniversal-Joint connection between said telescopic section and said endAtubular sockets, of wheel-bearing members provided with pivot-pinsengaging said sockets and arranged to slide therein, and springs betweenthe wheel-bearing members and the said casing-horns.

48. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a frame or casing providedwith horns havingl closed tubular sockets, of wheel-bearing membersprovided with pivot-pins fitted to said sockets and arranged to slidetherein, said pins and sockets constituting air dash-pots, and springsbetween the wheel-bearing members and the said casing-horns.

' 49. Inamotor-vehicle,thecombination with a frame or casing havinghorns for pivotally engaging wheel-bearing members, of wheelbearingmembers pivoted to said horns, said pivotal connections permittingsliding movements between said casing or frame and said wheel-bearingmembers, a spring-support between the said frame and the wheel-bearlngmembers, and wheelsmounted to rotate'in said bearing members, the aXiallines of said pivotal connections passing through the center of saidwheel-treads.

50. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a frame or casing having'horns for pivotally engaging wheel-bearing members, of wheelbearingmembers pivoted to said horns, said pivotal connections permittingsliding movements between said casing or frame and said IOO IIO

wheel-bearing members, a spring-support be- ISO upper and lower tubularsockets in aline with each other, the upper socket closed to theatmosphere at its upper end, of a wheel-bearing member comprising atubular section and upper and lower pivot-pins fitted to the saidsockets and arranged to slide therein, and a coil-spring surrounding theupper socket and pivot-pin, and vieldingly supporting the said frame orcasing upon the said bearing member.

52. In amotor-vehicle,theeombination with a casing or support, and awheel-bearing member pivoted thereto, said wheel-bearing member providedwith an open-ended cap having an outer bearing-surface formed upon anare whose center lies in the axis ot said pivotal connection, saidcasing or support having' a cornespondingly-curved surface with whichthe bearing-surface of said cap engages.

53. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with a casing o1' support, and awheel-bearing member pivoted thereto, said wheel-bearing member-provided with an open-ended cap having an outer cylindricalbearing-surface concentric with the axis of said pivotal connection,said casing or support having a correspondingly-curved cylindricalsurface with which the bearing-surface of said cap engages.

54. In amotor-veliicle,tl'1e combination with a easingor support, and awheel-bearing member pivoted thereto, said wheel-bearing member havingalso a movement with respect to said casing or support in a line withthe axis of said pivotal support, said wheel-bearing member providedwith an open-ended cap having an outer cylindrical bearing-surfaceconcentric with the axis about which it turns, said casing or supporthaving a correspondingly-curved cylindrical surface with which thebearing-surface of said cap engages.

55. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a casing or support and awheel-bearing member pivoted thereto, said casing provided with a curvedsurface having an arc, the eenter of which is on the axis of saidpivota-l connection, of a cap projecting from said wheel-bearing member,and having a face titted to the said curved surface, and a drive-shaftextending through the said cap into the said bearing member.

. 56. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with an axle member havingmeans Jfor the pivotal attachment thereto of wheel-bearing members, ofwheel-bearing members, a drivingshaft comprising intermediate and endsections and universal joints connecting the same, the end sectionsmounted within said wheelbearing members, said wheel-bearing membershaving inward extensions, inclosing in part the said universal joints,arranged to sweep against curved portions of the axle member duringmotion of the wheel-bearing member about its pivot.

57. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels` and clutch mechanism Yfor connectingthe said sections together, of low-speed gearing arranged to beinterposed between the intermediate and end shaft-sections, andincluding compensating gearing, and clutch mechanism for said lowspeedgearing.

58. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, a driving-sha'ft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together,of low-speed gearingarranged between theintermediate and end shaft-sections, including gear-wheels arranged tobe thrown into, and out of, operative engagement with the remainder ofsaid gearing, said low-speed gearing including compensating gearing, andclutchmechanism for the said low-speed gearing.

, 59. In amotor-vehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting'the said sections together, of a drive-pinion carried b v theintermediate shaft-section, a two-part countershaft, compensating' gearconnecting the two parts together in driving relation, said compensatinggear driven by said d riving-pinion, and shift-gears between saidtwo-part counter-shaft and the end sections of said drivingshaft.

60. In a motoi'-\fehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by the intermediateshaft-section, a two-part countershaft, compensating' gear connectingthe two parts together in driving relation, said eompensating geardriven by said drive-pinion, gears between said two-part counter-shaftand the end sections of said driving-sha ft and clutch mechanismcontrolling driving connection through said counter-shaft.

61. In amotor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for conneeti ngthe said sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by theintermediate shaft-section, a two-part countershaft, compensating gearconnecting the two parts together in driving relation, said compensatingg'ear driven by said driving-pinitm, shift-gears between said two-partcountershaft and the end sections of said d ri ving-sha ft, and clutchmechanism controlling operativo connection between said pinion and saidcompensati ng gear.

62. In a n'iotor-vehicle the combination with driving-wheels, a driving-shaft therefor comlOO anism between said spur-gear and thedriving member of said compensating gear, and gearing for connecting thetwo-part counter-shaft with the end sections of said driving-shaft.

63. In amotor-vehicle the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, cfa drive-pinion carried by the intermediateshaft-section, a spur-gear in mesh with said drive-pinion, a two-partcounter-shaft, compensating gear connecting the two said parts togetherin ,driving relation but permitting relative rotation thereof, togglefrictionclutch mechanism between said spur-gear and the driving memberof said compensating gear, and gearing for connecting the two-partcounter-shaft with-the end sections of` said drivingshaft.

64. In amotor-vehicle the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by the intermediate'shaft-section, a spur-gearin mesh with said drive-pinion, a two-partcounter-shaft, compensating gear connecting the two said parts togetherin driving relation but permitting relative rotation thereof, clutchmechanism between said spur-gear and the driving member of saidcompensating gear, and shiftgears arranged when in engagement to connectthe `two parts of the counter-shaft with the end sections of the saiddriving-shaft, said shift-gears adapted to be disconnected fromoperative relation.

65. In a motor-vehicle the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by the intermediateshaft-section, a spur-gear in mesh with said drive-pinion, a two-partlcountershaft, compensating gear connecting the two said parts togetherin driving relation but permitting relative rotation thereof, clutchmechanism between said spur-gear and the driving member of saidcompensating gear, and shiftgears arranged when in engagement to connectthe two parts of the counter-shaft with the end sections of the saiddriving-shaft, said shift-gears adapted to be disconnected fromoperative relation, under control ofI the said clutch mechanism fordirectly connecting the driving-shaft sections together. f

66. In a motor-Vehicle the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, of a drive-pinion secured to and carried by theintermediate shaft-section, a spurgear in mesh with said drive-pinion, atwopart counter-shaft arranged to rotate upon the axis of rotation ofsaid drive-pinion but unconnected therewith, compensating gearconnecting the two parts of the counter-shaft together in drivingrelation with each other, clutch mechanism between said spur-gear andthe driving vmember of. said compensating gear, and gearing forconnecting the two-part counter-shaft with the end sections of saiddriving-shaft.

67 In a motor-vehicle the combination with driving-wheels, a driving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the end sectionssecured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting the saidsections together, of a drive-pinion secured to and carried by theintermediate shaft-section, a spurgear in mesh with said drive-pinion, atwopart counter-shaft arranged to rotate upon the axis of rotation of'said drive-pinion but unconnected therewith, compensating gearconnecting the two parts of the counter-shaft together in drivingrelation with each other, clutch mechanism between said spur-gear andthe driving member. of said vcompensating gear, and shift-gears arrangedwhen in engagement to connect the two parts of the counter-shaft withthe end sections of the said driving-shaft, said shift-gears adapted tobe disconnected from operative relation.

68. In a motor-vehicle the combination with driving-wheels,.adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, of a drive-pinion secured toand car'- ried bythe intermediate shaft-section, a spurgear in mesh with saiddrive-pinion,a twopart counter-shaft arranged to rotate upon the axis ofrotation of said drive-pinion but unconnected therewith, compensatinggear con- IOO I'IO

necting thc two parts of the counter-shaft todriving-wheels, and amotorrbetween said.

wheels having a' main driving-shaft adapted for direct connectionthereto` of low-speed gearing arranged to be driven from said motor andto drive said vehicle-wheels and comprising compensating gearing, andclutch mechanism for the direct and low speed drive.

70. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, a motorbetween said wheels having a driving-shaft directly connected to saidwheels and comprising intermediate and end sections, and clutchmechanism for connecting and disconnecting said sections, of a two-partcounter-shaft, a compensating gear arranged to drive the two sections ofsaid shaft, gearing for connecting the sections individually with thevehicle-wheels, and other gearing' connecting the intermediate sectionof the motor-shaft with said compensating gear and comprising clutchmechanism for connecting and disconnecting said compensating gear fromsaid intermediate shaft-section.

71. In amotor-vehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, or low-speed reverse-gearing arranged to beinterposed between the intermediate and end shaft-sections, andincluding' compensating gearing, and clutch mechanism for said low-speedreverse-gearing.

7 2. In amotor-vehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together,of low-speed reverse-gearing arranged between theintermediate and end shaft-sections, including gear-wheels arranged tobe thrown into, and out of, operative engagement with the remainder ofsaid gearing, said low-speed reverse-gearing including compensatinggearing, and clutch mechanism for the said lov-speed reverse-gearing.

73. Ina motor-Vehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting`the said sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by theintermediate shaft-section, a two-part countershaft, compensating gearconnecting the two parts together in driving relation, reversedriving-gearing between the driving member of said compensating gear andthe said drivepinion, and shift-gears between said two-partcounter-shaft and the end sections of said driving-shaft.

74. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections,the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by the intermediateshaft-section, a two-part countershaft, compensating gear connecting thetwo parts together in driving relation, reverse driving-gearing betweenthe drivingmember of said compensating gear and the said drivepinion,gears between the two-part countersha'ft and the end sections of saiddri vi ng-shaft, and clutch mechanism controlling driving connectionthrough said counter-shaft.

75. In a motor-vehicle,thecombination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections` the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, of a drive-pinion carried bythe intermediateshaft-seetion, a two-part countershaft, compensating' gear connectingthe. two parts together in driving relation, reverse driving-gearingbetween the driving member of said compensating gear and the saiddrivepinion, shift-gears between said two-part counter-shaft and the endsections of said driving-shaft, and clutch mechanism controllingoperative connection between said drivepinions and said compensatinggear.

76. In a motor-vehicle, the com bi nation w i th driving-wheels, adri\f'ing-shafft therefm' conlprising intermediate and end sections, theend sections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connectingthe said sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by theintermediate shaft-seetion, a spur-gear in mesh with saiddrive-pinion,.a two-part countershaft, compensating gears connecting thetwo said parts together in driving relation but permitting relativerotation thereof, reversegearing between the said spur-gear and thedriving member of said emnpcnsating gear, clutch mechanism therefor, andgearing for connecting the two-part counter-shaft with the end sectionsof said shaft.

77. 1namotor-vehicle,thecombination with driving-wheels, adriving-slntft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, theend sections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connectingthe said sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by theintermediateshaft-section, a spur-gear in mesh with said drive-pinion, a two-partcountershaft, compensating gears connecting the two said parts togetherin driving relation but permitting relative rotation thereof,reversegearing between the said spur-gear and the driving member of saidcompensating gear, clutch mechanism therefor including a shiftgear, andgearing for connecting the. two-part counter-shaft with the end sectionsof said driving-shaft.

78. In a motor-vehicle, the combiinition with driving-wheels, a driving-shaft therefor eomprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, of a drive-pinion carried b v the intermediateshaft-section, a spur-gear in mesh with said drive-pinion, a two-partcounterlOO I Ol

shaft, compensating gears connecting the two said parts together indriving relation but permitting relative rotation thereof,reversegearing Vbetween the said spur-gear and the driving member ofsaid compensating gear, clutch mechanism therefor including frictionmembers and a shift-gear, and gearing for connecting the two-part'counter -shaft with the end sections of said driving-shaft.

79. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wlieels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, of a drive-pinion secured to and carried by theintermediate shaft-section, a spurgear in mesh with said drive-pinion, atwopart counter-shaft arranged to rotate upon the axis of rotation ofsaid drive-pinion but unconnected therewith, compensating gearconnecting the two parts of the counter-shaft together in drivingrelation with each other, reverse-gearing between the said spur-gear andthe driving member of said compensatingV gear, clutch mechanismtherefor, and gearing for connecting the two-part counter-shaft with theend sections of said driving-shaft.

80. In a motor-vehicle,the combination withv driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediateand end sections, the endsections secured to said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting thesaid sections together, of a drive-pinion secured to and carried by theintermediate shaft-section, aspurgear in mesh 'with said drive-pinion, atwopart counter-shaft arranged to rotate upon the axis of rotation ofsaid drive-pinion but unconnected therewith, compensating gearconnecting the two parts of the counter-shaft together in'drivingrelation with each other, reverse-gearing between the said spur-gear andthe driving member of said compensating gear, clutch mechanism therefor,including friction members and a shift-gear, and gear- `ing forconnecting the two-part counter-shaft with' the end sections of saiddriving-shaft.-

81. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor and means for connecting said shaft directlythereto, of low-speed reverse-gearing likewise arranged to drive saidwheels and comprising compensating gearing, and clutch mechanism forthrowing said low-speed reverse-gearing into and out of action,including friction members and a shift-gear.

^ 82. Inamotor-vehicle,thecombination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor and means for connecting said shaft directlythereto, of low-speed-reverse-gearing likewise arranged to drive saidwheels and comprising `compensating gearing, and clutch mechanism forthrowing said low-speed reverse-gearing into and out of action,including'two friction members connected to move together, one of saidmembers carrying a shift-gear comprised in the said reverse-gear train.

83. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wheels, and a motorbetween said wheels having a main driving-shaft adapted for directconnection thereto, of low-speed gearing arranged to be driven from saidmotor and to drive said vehicle-wheels and comprising coinpensatinggearing, reversing-gearin g likewise arranged to be driven from themotor and to drive said compensating gearing, and clutch mechanism forthe direct and low-speed drive and for the said reversing-gearing.

84. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wheels, a motorarranged between them, having a shaft arranged to be directly connectedto said wheels and comprising an intermediate and end sections andclutch mechanism connecting the sections together, of a two-partcounter-shaft and a compensating gear arranged to drive the two sectionsof' said shaft, gearing for connecting the said sections individuallywith the driving-Wheels, gearing connecting the intermediate motorshaftsections with the compensating gear,

i reversing back gearing likewise driven from the intermediate sectionof the motor-shaft and likewise arranged to drive the compensating gear,said reversing back gearing comprising clutch means for throwing it intoand out of action.

ward drive for same, and a reverse low-speedv drive, the high-speeddrive arranged to drive the wheels in direct connection, and the forwardand reverse low-speed drives including intermediate andv compensatinggearing, and clutch mechanism for the said drives.

i v 85. Inamotorvehicle,the combinationwith 'driving-Wheels, of a highand low Speed for- IOO 86. In amotor-vehicle,the combination with ldriving-wlieels, a driving-shaft therefor, and means for connecting saidshaft directly thereto,of low-speed speed-'gearing for forward and vreardriving, likewise arranged to drive said 4driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to the said wheels, and clutchl mechanism forconnecting the said sections together, of low-speed forward and reversevgearing arranged to be interposed between the intermediate and endshaft-sections, including compensating gearing, and clutch mechan- IIOIIS

ism for said low-speed forward and reverse gearing.` 8,8. In amotor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wheels, a driving-shafttherefor coin- 'prising intermediate and end sections, the end sectionssecured to the said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connecting the saidsections together, of low-speed forward and reverse gearing arrangedbetween the intermediate and end shaft-sections, including gear-wheelsarranged to be thrown into, and out of, operative engagement with theremainder of said gearing, lsaid low-speed reverse-gearing includingcompensating gearing, and clutch mechanism for the said low-speedreversegearing. x

89. In amotor-vehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to the said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connectingthe said sections together,ofa drive-pinion carried by the intermediateshaft-section, a two-part countershaft, compensating gear connecting thetwo parts together in driving relation but permitting relative rotationthereof, and forward and reverse driving connections between saiddriving-pinionand the driving member of the compensating gear.

90. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to the said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connectingthe said sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by theintermediate shaft-section, a two-part countershaft, compensating gearconnecting the two parts together in driving relation but permittingrelative rotation thereof, forward and reverse driving connectionsbetween said driving-pinion and the driving member of the conipensatinggear, and shift-gears between the two-part counter-shaft and the endsections of said driving-shaft.

91. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to the said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connectingthe said sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by theintermediate shaft-section, a two-part countershaft, compensating gearconnecting the two parts together in driving relation but permittingrelative rotation thereof, forward and reverse driving connectionsbetween said driving-pinion and the drivingmember of the compensatinggear, gears between said two-part counter-shaft and the end sections ofsaid driving-shaft, and clutch mechanism for controlling drivingconnection through said counter- Shaft.

92. In a motor-vehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to the said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connectingthe said sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by theintermediate shaft-section, a two-part countershaft, compensating gearconnecting the two parts together in driving relation but permittingrelative rotation thereof, forward and reverse driving connectionsbetween said driving-pinion and the d ri ving member of thecompensatingI gear, shift-gears between said twopart counter-shaft andthe end sections of said driving-shaft, and clutch mechanism controllingoperative connection between said drivepinion and said compensatinggear.

93. 1n a motor-\f'ehicle,the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to the said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connectingthe said sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by theintermediate shaft-section, a spur-gear in mesh with said drive-pinion,a two-part countershaft, compensating gear connecting the two said partstogether in driving relation but permitting relative rotation thereof,clutch mechanism between the said spur-gear and the d ri ving member ofthe said con'ipensating gear, reversing-gearing between the saidspur-gear and the said compensatin g-gear-d rivin g member, clutchmechanism for the said reversinggear, and gearing for connecting thetwo-part counter-shaft with the end section of said drive-shaft.

'94. In a n'iotor-vehicle, the combinati on with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to the said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connectingthe said sections together, of a drive-pinion carried bythe intermediateshaft-section, a spur-gear in mesh with said drive-pinion, a two-partcountershaft, compensating gear connecting the two said parts togetherin driving relation but permitting relative rotation thereof, clutchmechanism between the said spur-gear and the driving member of the saidcompensating gear, reversing-gearing between the said spur-gear and thesaid compensating-gear-driving member, clutch mechanism for the saidreversinggear, and shift-gears arranged when in engagement to connectthe two parts of the counter-shaft with the end sections of the saiddriving-shaft, said shift-gears adapted to be disconnected fromoperative relation.

95. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with driving-wheels, adriving-shaft therefor comprising intermediate and end sections, the endsections secured to the said wheels, and clutch mechanism for connectingthe said sections together, of a drive-pinion carried by theintermediate shaft-section, a spur-gear in mesh with said drive-pinion,a two-part countershaft, compensating gear connecting the two said partstogether in driving` relation but permitting relative rotation thereof,clutch mechanism between the said spur-gear and the d ri ving member ofthe said compensatinggear, reversing-gearing between the said spur-gearand the said compensating-gear-driving member, clutch mechanism for thesaid reversinggear, and shift-gears arranged when in engagement toconnect the two parts of the countershaft with the end sections of thesaid driv- IOO

